Monthly News for Gardeners |
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News and events for gardeners from Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and other trusted partners |
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End of August 2021
Fellow gardeners of Central Maine,
If you are subscribed to the Maine Home Garden News, you'll be getting September's newsletter tomorrow! I hope this year's harvests have been, and will continue to be, bountiful.
Be well
-Trisha Smith
Community Education Assistant, Home Horticulture
Piscataquis County
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Regular Feature:
Now Is the Time To...
By Will Larson
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Dry flowers: August is a good time for collecting flowers, foliage, and seed heads for floral arrangements. A simple method for drying is to wrap a bundle of stems together using rubber bands and suspend the bunch upside down. Warm, well-circulating air will dry the cut flowers quickly. Flowers that dry well include bachelor’s button (Centaurea cynaus), globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa), and anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), while poppies (Papaver spp.), mullein (Verbascum spp.), and honesty (Lunaria annua); all provide interesting seed heads to an arrangement. See Drying Flowers and Foliage for Arrangements from University of Missouri Extension or this group of articles from Cornell Cooperative Extension for more information.
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Order bulbs and plan nursery orders: Now is the time to be ordering your bulbs ahead of fall planting; many suppliers accept orders through the end of August. Spring-flowering bulbs, such as crocuses and daffodils, are suitable for planting in September and October, giving a few weeks for the bulbs to root in before the ground freezes. Many mail-order nurseries begin to ship live plants again in September, so compiling a wish list for the garden ahead of time can ensure you have the plants you want to put in the ground come fall.
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Sow cover crops: Cover crops are a great option for any garden with empty space. They can suppress weeds, benefit pollinators, and provide nutrients to the soil when incorporated as a green manure. Cover crops such as winter rye can be sown in August and will continue to grow in the spring. Since they are winter-hardy they will need to be incorporated into the soil with a tiller prior to planting desired crops the following spring. Fall plantings of winter-killed cover crops, such as tillage radish or oats, can be dug into a bed with a fork or spade in the spring or simply left in place to break down and serve as a short-term mulch for the early part of next spring. For more information about cover cropping, see UMaine Extension Bulletin #1170, Cover Cropping for Success, or watch these videos Benefits of Cover Cropping and Planning for Your Cover Crop, and consult these tables for seeding rates and times for different cover crops.
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Deadhead and collect seeds: Most plants will continue to bloom well into the fall as long as you remove spent flower heads. If you don’t shear the stems, the flower heads will often set seed (as long as it is not a sterile cultivar). Usually seeds are ripe when the seed head dries, changes color (often from green to brown), and splits open; the seeds will also generally darken in color as they ripen. Seed propagation can be exciting, particularly if you grow multiple compatible species or varieties that may interbreed and hybridize to produce new and interesting offspring. Columbines (the genus Aquilegia) are famously interfertile, and there are many other popular garden plants (like violas and echinaceas) that readily produce hybrid forms.
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Harvest, preserve, and donate tomatoes: If you find yourself with too many tomatoes, consider canning (see UMaine Extension Bulletin #4085, Let’s Preserve: Tomatoes) or donating through the Maine Harvest for Hunger program.
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Protect Your Yard and Garden from Deer
By Griffin Dill, Integrated Pest Management Professional
Whether you live among Maine’s rural forests or within suburban cities and towns, you’re increasingly likely to see deer meandering across the property. While many people enjoy the opportunity to view wildlife in their own backyards, deer can cause extensive damage to gardens and home landscapes. Deer eat several hundred different types of plants in the Northeast, grazing on a variety of grasses, leaves, bark, fruits, nuts, acorns, berries, and even lichen and fungi. A single deer can consume five to ten pounds of plant material per day, including some of their landscape favorites like hostas, roses, daylilies, and yew. In addition to the damage they can cause to landscape plants, deer are also important hosts for ticks, with increased tick abundance frequently related to the presence of deer.
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Crazy Worms in Maine
A re-issue of an article written by Gary Fish,
State Horticulturist Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for our April 2019 edition of Maine Home Garden News
(arrow indicates identifying feature: milky-white, raised clitellum close to head)
Due to our history of glaciation, there are no native earthworms in Maine. Non-native earthworms from Europe, such as night crawlers, became well established in Maine through early colonial trading with Europe. While beneficial to gardens, earthworms are known to have destructive effects on our forests.
Crazy worms (Amynthas agrestis, Amynthas tokioensis, and Metaphire hilgendorfi) are invasive earthworms native to East Asia. Originating in Korea and Japan, the crazy worm is now found from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. Although first collected from a Maine greenhouse in 1899, an established population of this active and damaging pest was not discovered until 2014 when populations were discovered at the Viles Arboretum in Augusta, one other Augusta location, and two Portland sites. We believe crazy worms are not yet widespread here, but they have been discovered in many new locations since 2014, including in compost, manure, and nursery settings. If allowed to spread, crazy worms could cause serious damage to horticultural crops and forest ecosystems in Maine. It is illegal to import them into Maine (or to propagate or possess them) without a wildlife importation permit from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). For more information, visit the MDIFW’s Fish & Wildlife in Captivity webpage.
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Why Can’t I Grow Gooseberries and Currants in Maine?
Information compiled from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) websites (listed at the end) with significant contributions from Allison Kanoti, State Entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, Forest Health and Monitoring, DACF
White pine blister rust, caused by the fungus Cronartium ribicola, was introduced into the U.S. around 1900 and has since spread throughout the range of white pine. This disease causes mortality and severely reduces the commercial value of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus). The rust fungus cannot spread from pine to pine but requires an alternate host, Ribes species (currants and gooseberries, collectively called “ribes”), to complete the disease cycle.
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Extension Programs in other states:
For instance:
Heroes To Hives is a unique program offered through Michigan State University Extension that seeks to address financial and personal wellness of veterans through professional training and community development centered around beekeeping.
Food Solutions New England (part of UNH) is a network of people, organizations, businesses and other groups across New England who are committed to a shared vision and values for the regional food system. Anyone doing this work is considered part of the network.
If you find a great program when you're poking around online, let me know so I can share with your fellow gardeners: trisha.smith1@maine.edu
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Click the links to learn more, find a chapter near you, and get involved.
Bangor Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that has conserved over 800 acres of land with public access in the Bangor area. Our mission is to protect for public benefit land and water in the Bangor region that have special ecological, natural, scenic, agricultural, or recreational significance; and to increase public understanding of the value of land and water conservation.
The Garden Club Federation of Maine National Garden Clubs, Inc. provides education, resources and national networking opportunities for its members, to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.
Good Shepherd Food Bank In addition to distributing food to Mainers in need, the Food Bank is leading a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. Good Shepherd welcomes you to join in this effort.
Maine Audubon is a member-based organization that engages people in conservation, education and advocacy to advance wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation in Maine.
Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets' mission is to cultivate a vibrant, sustainable farmers' market community as a vital part of Maine's local food network. The Federation works with farmers, consumers, and communities to make wholesome, locally-grown foods available to all residents, to educate consumers about food resources, and to support farm viability.
Maine Gleaning Network A collaborative farm surplus rescue effort gathering crops from Maine's fields and engaging communities in resourceful and equitable food system activities.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) The purpose of the Association is to help farmers and gardeners: grow organic food, fiber and other crops; protect the environment; recycle natural resources; increase local food production; support rural communities; and illuminate for consumers the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound farming practices.
The Grange provides opportunities for individuals and families to develop to their highest potential in order to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation.To inquire about finding a nearby Grange, contact Walter Boomsma at grange@boomsmaonline.com
Transition Towns The Transition Movement is comprised of vibrant, grassroots community initiatives that seek to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. Transition Initiatives differentiate themselves from other sustainability and "environmental" groups by seeking to mitigate these converging global crises by engaging their communities in home-grown, citizen-led education, action, and multi-stakeholder planning to increase local self reliance and resilience.
Transition Skowhegan meets every 1st Thursday at 6 pm, Skowhegan Public Library.
Contact Iver Lofving 474-7370 or Jason Tessier 474-4380
Wild Seed Project works to increase the use of [Maine] native plants in all landscape settings in order to conserve biodiversity, encourage plant adaption in the face of climate change, safeguard wildlife habitat, and create pollination and migration corridors for insects and birds. Check out their Native Plant Blog.
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom promotes the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public. Curricula and resources for educators and others working with young people. Check out newsletters and/or subscribe here.
Maine Farm to School Network supports the rapidly spreading farm to school movement in Maine. This network knits together a wide diversity of students, teachers, school nutritionists, parents, farmers and groups who support child nutrition and Maine agriculture. Search their resource database, join the network.
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University of Maine Cooperative Extension County offices are open, at least part-time, and most projects allow in-person volunteering. The health and safety of the community are still important to us as we re-adjust to unrestricted activities. We have developed a number of online resources for those who have reliable internet connections. Here are a few ways we’re available:
New Resources to Meet New Needs
You may have missed the live Zoom presentations, but we've rounded up fact sheets for each week's discussion for your reference
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Victory Garden for ME series: videos for first time vegetable gardeners
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Growing Maine Gardeners: An initiative led by UMaine Extension’s Home Horticulture team to address the increased demand for gardening education throughout the state of Maine and to provide additional support for beginner gardeners.
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Garden Mentorship Program: direct technical assistance and encouragement via phone or email throughout the season from trained Master Gardener Volunteers
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Maine Farm Products and Pick-Up Directory: The directory provides information on available local farm products and alternative pick-up options developed by farmers statewide to accommodate the recommended social distancing in light of COVID-19.
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Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures: With novel coronavirus closing schools across Maine for several weeks, UMaine Extension has assembled a collection of helpful educational resources for parents and caregivers. From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure.
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Learn at Home with 4-H Friday Fun! Each Friday, watch for a new hands-on activity that you can try out with simple materials you have at home. Watch a short video clip to see how it’s done or download our 4-H Learn from Home activity sheets. Each activity outlines materials needed, easy-to-follow instructions, reflection questions for discussion and activity extensions.
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Social Media: Many of our staff are stepping up efforts to communicate to audiences via social media. For example, see Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden’s short educational Facebook videos (also on Instagram).
Traditional Services Being Offered in New Ways
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Identifying insect pests: Clay Kirby, Associate Scientist/Insect Diagnostician, will identify pest samples via images. See instructions for submitting an insect specimen.
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Identifying plant diseases: Dr. Alicyn Smart will identify plant disease samples via images. See instructions for submitting a sample.
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Tick testing: Ticks are being tested on a limited basis. See instructions for submitting a tick sample.
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Publication orders: We are still processing orders from our publication catalog, including pesticide application training materials.
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Soil testing: The Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service remains open and is taking samples with a priority on commercial samples. If you need to drop off a sample, you can place it in the box outside of Deering Hall; do NOT enter the building.
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General gardening questions: Contact your county office. Emails are preferred. If it’s necessary to leave a voicemail, please leave your email address (if available) or a mailing address in addition to your phone number.
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Master Gardener Volunteers |
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COVID-19 MGV Policy
Guidelines for Master Gardener Volunteers (Updated 6/8/21):
Master Gardener Volunteers no longer need to receive individual approval to volunteer in-person. All MGVs volunteering in-person are expected to follow these guidelines:
- MGVs will travel solely to and from the destination, unless traveling with a member of your household.
- Physical Distancing: there are no longer any physical distancing requirements for adults, indoors or outdoors, unless otherwise required by Maine civil authorities. Three foot social distancing indoors is required for programs for youth.
- Volunteers should stay at home if:
- They have a cough or a sore throat.
- They have a fever or feel feverish.
- They have shortness of breath.
- They have a loss of taste or smell.
- They have been around anyone exhibiting these symptoms within the past 14 days.
- They are living with anyone who is sick or quarantined.
- Masks:
- Indoors: all youth and adults must wear a face mask
- Outdoors: face masks not required.
- Avoid shared tools when possible. Sanitize shared tools/surfances after use.
- Volunteers should bring their own food to the volunteer activity if needed as sharing of food is discouraged at this time.
- Volunteers must report their hours via the hours reporting form at least once a month.
- Volunteers must follow any site specific guidelines in addition to the above.
For Public Programs: please use the appropriate checklist from this page.
Guidelines for Projects:
- Project coordinators are responsible for tracking volunteers and making it available to UMaine Cooperative Extension staff, in the event contact tracing information is necessary.
- Hand washing stations and sanitizer should be available on site.
- Have materials on hand so volunteers can sanitize shared tools/surfaces as necessary.
- Communicate any site-specific guidelines to volunteers, in addition to the above requirements.
If you have any questions about the status of a specific project, please contact your County MGV coordinator.
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Mission
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is the major educational outreach program of the University of Maine with offices statewide. UMaine Extension provides Maine people with research-based educational programs to help them live fuller, more productive lives.
Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
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The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.
Quick Links
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Local Weather Anytime
Most outdoor activities are driven by the weather. Our local National Weather Service in Caribou has meteorologists on staff 24 hours a day. They are willing to talk with you about predictions for your town. Give them a call at 492-0180. Or check out their online detailed maps at http://www.weather.gov/car/.
Need Pesticide Credits?
Interested in Volunteering with UMaine Extension?
Nearly 8,000 volunteers devoted more than 150,000 hours to their communities last year through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension! Look around our
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Professor
Kate Garland, Horticulturist
Brian Erickson, Sustainable Agriculture Professional
Trisha Smith, Community Education Assistant
The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.
The University of Maine does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.
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Piscataquis County Office |
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Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave Bangor, ME 04401 207.942.7396 or 800.287.1485
Piscataquis County Office - website
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
165 East Main St Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.3301 or 800.287.1491
7 County Drive Skowhegan, Maine 04976-4209
Tel: 207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine)
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